and is really a fine and vigorous growing variety. Rosa Fortuniana, a new white Banksian rose introduced from China by Mr. Fortune, in 1850, gives white flowers very double, as large as those of the Noisette Aimée Vibert. They are very fragrant, and the rose is a most desirable variety.

The Banksian roses are not adapted for pillar roses, as they are too tender: they require a wall, or very sheltered situation. Their very early flowering, also, renders this quite necessary, as the spring frosts, in cold exposures, destroy the bloom in the bud. They bloom more freely in dry than in wet, retentive soils, and they require pruning with care, for none of the small and twiggy branches should be shortened: but, if the plant has a superabundance, some of them may be removed. If their branches are shortened, they will not bloom, but put forth a profusion of strong shoots. The flowers will be generally found in the greatest abundance on these small and twiggy branches, which at once points out the necessity of their being left on the plant. Often, towards the end of summer, large old plants will produce immensely thick and strong shoots. These should be removed early in autumn, unless they are wanted to fill up a vacancy on the wall; the upper part of the plant, and its flowering twigs, will then not be exhausted by them.

Banksian roses seldom bear seed in this country; but in the south of France, and in Italy,

they produce it in tolerable abundance; so that we may yet expect crimson and other coloured roses of this charming family.

CLIMBING ROSES.

DIVISION VI.

HYBRID CLIMBING ROSES.

THESE are hardy and strong-growing roses, the origin of some of them not well ascertained. Among them, Madame d'Arblay, or Wells' White, has been till now placed among Rosa sempervirens; but its habit is so different, and its origin so well ascertained, that I have removed it to this division: this robust variety was raised from seed some years since by Mr. Wells, of Redleaf, near Tonbridge Wells. In strong soils it makes the most gigantic growth, soon forming a tree or a pillar of the largest size: its flowers are very double and pretty. The Garland, or Wood's Garland, is also a seedling, raised by Mr. Wells, of Redleaf, I believe, from the seed of the Noisette Rose. Like Madame d'Arblay, this is a vigorous grower, producing its flowers in immense clusters. They are fragrant, and change from white to pink after expansion.

To Hybrid Climbing Roses a very singular and

pretty variety has been added. This I have raised from Italian seed. It produces abundance of flowers in large clusters, of a bright crimson scarlet, nearly double, and, what is very rare among climbing roses, they are very fragrant. I have named this rose Sir John Sebright.' John was a great admirer of brilliant-coloured climbing roses.

Sir

A family of climbing roses has been lately introduced from North America; we owe this group to Rosa rubifolia, the Bramble-leaved or Prairie Rose. A Mr. Feast, nurseryman at Baltimore, has been the originator of a few varieties, one of which is described as being an autumnal bloomer. The Queen of the Prairies is one of the best of these roses, producing its flowers, which are rather flat, and regularly imbricated, in large clusters; these are of a bright rose-colour, streaked with white; its foliage is large, and habit very robust; it requires a very dry season; many varieties of this race have within these few years been introduced and advertised under fine sounding names. will dismiss them at once by saying, they are none of them worthy of cultivation.

Raising Varieties from Seed.

I

Among climbing roses but few can be found that will bear seed in this country, the Ayrshire Roses excepted, from some of which it is probable that

some fine and original climbers may be raised. A most desirable object to obtain is a dark crimson Rosa ruga; this may possibly be accomplished by planting that favourite rose with the Ayrshire Queen, and fertilising its flowers very carefully with those of that dark rose. It is remarkable that although these roses are both hybrids from species apparently very remote in their affinities, yet both of them bear seed, even without being fertilised. The Blush Ayrshire, a most abundant seed-bearer, may also be planted with the Ayrshire Queen, the Gloire de Rosoméne, the Double Yellow Briar, Single Crimson Moss, Celina Moss, the China Rose Fabvier, and its flowers fertilised with the pollen of these roses; if any combination can be effected, pleasing results may reasonably be hoped for. To make assurance doubly sure,' the anthers of the Ayrshire Rose should be removed from some of the flowers with which the experiment is tried.

88

PART II.

THE AUTUMNAL ROSE GARDEN.

To Autumnal Roses we are much indebted for that prolonged season of interest which this "Queen of flowers' now gives. The roses of June, however splendid, soon fade; but some Perpetual, or Noisette, or Bourbon roses enrich our gardens with their perfume and gay colours, till the chills of approaching winter prevent the expansion of their flowers. To have roses in autumn has from the earliest ages been esteemed a luxury; the Egyptians cultivated a variety supposed to be our monthly rose; and by retarding the flowering season, it is presumed, by late pruning, they were able to export immense quantities of roses to Rome during the early winter months, i. e. in November and December. Whether the trees were sent full of bloom-buds, in pots or cases, or simply the flowers preserved in some way, is uncertain. It appears, however, that the Romans soon became adepts in the art of cultivating autumnal roses; for when the Egyptians sent a magnificent present of roses to Domitian, on his birthday, which was towards